WORCESTER, Mass. -- The Holy Cross Crusaders scored three goals in the second period to break open a one-goal game and went on to post a 5-2 victory over the visiting University of Southern Maine Huskies in an ECAC Women's East game Saturday afternoon at the Hart Athletic Center.

            The win was the fifth straight for the Crusaders, and improved their record to 14-1-2 overall and 11-1-0 in league play.  The Huskies dipped to 5-10-4 overall and 5-5-2 in the league.

            Leading 2-1 heading into the second period, the Crusaders tallied three special-team goals to expand their lead to 5-1.  Rookie Rebecca Fleming (Newton, Mass.) lit the lamp with a power-play goal at 3:16 converting a pass from junior Rebecca O'Quinn (Arlington, Mass.).  Senior Stacey Hochkins (New Boston, Mich.) netted an unassisted short-handed goal at 7:16 for her team-leading 21st goal of the season.  O'Quinn finished off the period scoring a power-play goal with seven seconds remaining.

            In the opening period, Holy Cross scored twice in the first four minutes to grab the early advantage.  Junior Alex Campione (Townsend, Mass.) found the net at the 2:40 mark for an unassisted goal.  Rookie Nicole Giannino (Bay Shore, N.Y.) doubled the lead at 4:00 off an assist from junior Caroline English (Dorchester, Mass.).

            Senior Jana Sacco (Niagara Falls, Ontario) got the Huskies on the board midway through the period potting a power-play goal.  Junior Katie Davis (Woburn, Mass.) picked up the lone assist.

            Senior Katie Paradis (Rochester, N.H.) scored the lone goal of the third period for USM at 1:03.  Junior Alex Smith (Winthrop, Mass.) had the assist.

            Holy Cross freshman goalie Alexandra Stevenson (Norwood, N.Y.) earned her fifth win of the season stopping 20 of 22 shots.  USM rookie goalie Liz Bergstrom (Chanhassen, Minn.) registered 20 saves.

            Southern Maine returns home next weekend for its final two regular-season home games against nationally ranked Norwich University on Friday (4:00 p.m.) and Saint Michael's on Saturday (1:00 p.m.).  Holy Cross hosts Colby College in a non-conference game on Tuesday (6:00 p.m.).

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